Chapter 313 Successful Construction of the Academy

Since the main building of the academy had been completed, Shaoke and his group quickly made a decision. After consulting with some Eighth Tier beings, the academy officially began operations. Lan Wei'er and the White-robed Cleric also joined this academy, serving as instructors for their respective classes. The White-robed Cleric had the heaviest workload because she had to train the clerics that mages needed most. Fortunately, there were not many children with this talent, so she was not too worn out.

A large number of children gathered in the academy. These children came not only from the Blue Feather Empire's controlled areas but also from other regions. Many children without combat talent, after paying a small fee, also joined the academy to learn. Some would become scholars, bards, or even skilled artisans. Of course, if they had the talent, becoming an administrative manager would be quite good.

After discussion, the academy's name was quickly decided: Fallen Academy. Although this name was very simple, Shaoke and the others were satisfied, as it was determined after multiple discussions among over a dozen people. Only this name would prevent any further complaints from the various power holders.

Following earlier suggestions, mages built thirteen mage towers, each thirteen stories high, within this huge academy, evenly distributed among thirteen organizations. Here, mages could conduct various experiments. After research by hundreds of mages, these mage towers were all powered by the energy supply from the medium-sized laboratories, so the effects of the elemental pools inside were even stronger.

Through his research, Shaoke discovered that these elemental pools could produce a high-grade elemental crystal every month. This elemental crystal could fully replenish an Eighth Tier Mage's mental energy or magic consumption within half a magic hour.

Of course, other organizations also paid a considerable price for Shaoke to help them build these mage towers. This included a large number of precious magic materials given to Shaoke free of charge, as well as many books sent to him. Additionally, they ceded some controlled territories to him.

However, Shaoke did not pay too much attention to these things. Through the construction of these thirteen mage towers, he now had the confidence to build even taller mage towers. But the prerequisite was that he had to master the technique for modifying the energy supply in large laboratories and also needed a large amount of magic materials.

According to Shaoke's estimation, the magic materials consumed in constructing this thirteen-story mage tower were almost equivalent to the accumulation of a medium-sized trade consortium over several hundred years. And that was just for one mage tower. Fortunately, this time, the mage tower belonging to Shaoke and his group was built with materials provided free of charge by several other organizations; otherwise, he would not have been able to build his own mage tower in this academy.

Three Eighth Tier mages also participated in the construction of these mage towers, including the Blue-robed Female Mage. These Eighth Tier mages built a combined defensive magic array on these towers, combining the energy of all thirteen towers for defense. According to the Blue-robed Female Mage's explanation, if this defense was activated, seven or eight Eighth Tier mages could not break through it within a short period—provided that the elemental pools in the mage towers had enough elemental water to serve as energy.

After the academy had enrolled enough students, Shaoke took Mage Roman to the academy for a visit. There were not only young children with combat talent but also teenagers and even people in their twenties learning there. Of course, they were only studying architecture or agriculture, which would greatly help their future lives.

After wandering around the academy for nearly two magic hours, Shaoke suggested going to the mage tower to see how things were. This suggestion made Mage Roman quite displeased. "Are you thinking of seeing the Cleric?" It turned out that the White-robed Cleric and Lan Wei'er now lived in the mage tower here. The true master of this mage tower was the Sixth Tier White-robed Cleric. After all, Lan Wei'er was only a Third Tier Mage and was not capable of controlling this mage tower. So when Shaoke brought this up, it made Mage Roman unhappy. But Mage Roman was not unreasonable. After complaining, she led Shaoke toward their mage tower.

Only nine floors of the mage tower were above ground; the rest were below. Their arrival quickly caught the attention of the Cleric inside, so she quickly opened a passage for them, allowing them to ride something resembling an elevator from Shaoke's previous life to the top floor.

This mage tower was huge. It covered over twenty acres, containing not only a library and areas for practicing spells but also dedicated spaces for planting medicinal herbs and magic materials.

The Cleric warmly welcomed Shaoke and the others, then led them to the area where plant-based magic materials were grown.

On the way, the two female spellcasters talked nonstop, as they had not seen each other for several months and had a lot to say.

"You should hire some attendants," Shaoke couldn't help but interrupt their conversation as they walked through the empty corridors. "There are too few people here. I only saw people on the lowest floor, and here it's just you. It must be very lonely." He said this with some concern for the Cleric, knowing she did not like being alone for long periods.

"Lan Wei'er will come back in the evening," the Cleric said, glancing at Shaoke a little flustered, then tightened her grip on Mage Roman's arm. "In the future, only those who become qualified spellcasters will be allowed into this mage tower." After saying this, she fell silent.

"Do you have many students?" Mage Roman gave Shaoke a look, then asked the Cleric.

"Fewer than ten," the White-robed Cleric said, a slight smile on her lips. "I am fully capable of giving them detailed guidance. I believe that in ten years, these children will have the ability to become true clerics." She glanced at Shaoke happily, thinking that if she trained so many clerics, it would surely help Shaoke's endeavors in the future.

"Here we are." After descending one floor, the space where plant-based magic materials were grown appeared before them. The entire space radiated rich magical or mental energy fluctuations, emitted by the magic materials. The Cleric led Shaoke and the others carefully along a small path toward the center.

"Look! After these fruits mature, consuming them can quickly restore mental energy; this one enhances the effects of meditation." The White-robed Cleric pointed out some central trees. These trees were not too tall, and they were carved with many magic scripts. Beside them was a thin glass tube that continuously sprayed elemental water onto the plants for absorption.

"Where did you get these fruits?" Shaoke found the fruits very familiar, similar to those he had exchanged with a Sixth Tier Mage during a mission in a small town years ago.

"The Eighth Tier Female Mage asked me to plant them here," the Cleric answered, seeing his confusion. She then explained in detail, waiting for his response. But Shaoke said nothing more.

Seeing that Shaoke had nothing to add, the Cleric continued to introduce the magical plants, finally stopping before a slightly taller tree. This tree bore fruits resembling long bread loaves. "This is the elven bread tree," the Cleric said proudly. "This was also given to me by that Eighth Tier Female Mage." She carefully picked a yellow bread fruit, tore off a small piece, and offered it to Shaoke and Mage Roman to taste. "One such fruit is enough to feed a warrior for seven or eight days."

"I've only read about such things in books; I never thought I would taste them here," Shaoke said, taking a small bite. The bread crumbs quickly expanded in his stomach, making him feel full. Mage Roman did not taste it, as she planned to eat some pastries later. Besides, she had eaten such food before.

Shaoke carefully examined everything in this layer of the building and was moved by the White-robed Cleric's thoughtfulness. He noticed that aside from those used for experiments, the plant-based materials here were all beneficial for meditation. The most abundantly planted were those that restore energy.

After a brief inspection, the three spellcasters left. They went directly to the top floor of the mage tower to rest. The Cleric laid out plenty of fine wine and a few pastries, entertaining the two mages in her room.

Since Mage Roman and the White-robed Cleric had not eaten the special bread, they were still hungry. Shaoke, feeling only thirsty, drank wine instead of water.

"Mage Roman, if possible, come live here," the Cleric suggested softly to Mage Roman. She was too lonely here, without a single familiar face. More importantly, she hoped that if Mage Roman lived here, Shaoke would come to visit her more often, allowing the Cleric to see him more frequently.